A brace in three successive matches from forward Will Longbottom sent Guiseley on their way to another three points away at Ashton United and allowed them to take a firm grip on second place in the league table on Tuesday evening, writes Scott Kelly.

The 4-2 away victory, which included a first Lions goal for full back Sam Bentley, means the Lions have now won four on the bounce in the league, and head to Matlock Town on Saturday unbeaten away from home since August.

In freezing conditions in Greater Manchester, the home side started the better and flew into an early lead. A straightforward pass from the backline played in Benny Couto down the left, he had the beating of full back Sam Bentley, and he was able to fire low and hard past the hapless Joe Cracknell with just seven minutes played.

Despite not threatening, the Lions had the equaliser just 10 minutes later. A rare foray forward allowed Jack Emmett in down the right, his cross found Joe Ackroyd who deflected the ball brilliantly into the path of who else but Will Longbottom, as he volleyed home past Jordan Eastham from close range.

After the two early goals, chances from both sides were minimal in the first period. Just minutes after the goal, Ackroyd’s cross found Lebrun Mbeka, but he couldn’t direct his header on target. The best chance for the hosts fell to Benny Couto. A peach of a cross from Dan Cowan was met by Couto perfectly, but he couldn’t direct the header on target and the effort went over.

The Lions are well known this season for winning points late on in games, but they secured them early on on this occasion. The second half was only two minutes old when good work from Ackroyd down the left allowed Longbottom the chance to grab his second, which he duly took. He finished well inside the six-yard box to secure his 13th league goal of the season.

Just seven minutes later, the points were all but in the bag. Further good work down the left from an unplayable Ackroyd allowed Longbottom the chance for a hat-trick, but his effort just outside the area looped over Eastham but struck the crossbar. Thankfully though, Bentley kept his composure and powered home well from the rebound for his first goal for the Lions.

From then on, the Lions were very comfortable and kept the ball for large spells without threatening. The Robins of Ashton too posed little threat and yellow cards given to Louis White and Dan Cowan for needless fouls best summed up their frustration. They did improve though late on had a great opportunity to get back into it.

Former Lion Tom Denton was introduced just before the hour and his far post effort was the closest the Robins had come for some time. A fantastic cross missed fellow sub-Jason Gilchrist and the ball fell to Denton, but his shot across Cracknell somehow went wide from just outside the six-yard box.

Jordan Thewlis, Lewis Whitham and Freddie Westfall were all introduced late on. It was Thewlis who won a free kick just outside the area with five minutes to play. Longbottom stepped up but Eastham got down low and saved brilliantly.

As the game headed towards injury time, the Lions got goal number four. Thewlis was played through brilliantly by Adriano Moke, beat the offside trap and his right footed strike was slotted beautifully under Eastham to put the icing on the cake.

The Robins fought back almost immediately though. What looked like a clear foul on Prince Ekpolo was missed by the referee, and captain Luke Burke took advantage and struck from 12 yards out, firing across Cracknell, and with a little help from the post, the ball was in the back of the net and the score was 2-4.

It could have been better for the Robins as Gilchrist had a glorious chance to make it 3-4, as he fired over the top whilst inside the six-yard box when it appeared easier to score.

But it finished 4-2 and a ruthless performance from the Lions puts them three points clear of Worksop and Hebburn Town, and six points clear of sixth placed Stockton who sit just outside the play off pack.